1:48 P-51D Mustang

Martlesham Heath and a name on the side

The first of the pair, a P-51D with the serial number 44-15052 and the code PI-J, was flown by Lieutenant James A. Hickey of the 360th Fighter Squadron of the 356th Fighter Group from Martlesham Heath in England in 1945. On its side it carried the name Lullaby for a Dream, that is, one of those nose paintings that reveal more about their bearer than a list of combat missions does.

The second machine of the Yoxford Boys

The second aircraft, P-51D 44-63195 with the code G4-K and the name MARYMAE, belonged to the 362nd Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group. It was flown by Lieutenant Richard Potter, nicknamed Rip. His group was the first in Europe to re-equip with Mustangs and was among the most successful units of the Eighth Air Force of all.

Box contents

This is a printed sheet of waterslide decals at 1:48 size. It serves to complete a finished Mustang model, which has to be owned or obtained separately. Besides the personal names, the sheet contains squadron letters, serial numbers and accompanying markings for both aircraft.

A practical note

Both machines flew in bare metal with the colored unit insignia on the nose and the rudder. It is exactly the transition across the edge of the cowling that tends to be most demanding during application, and without decal softener the film usually breaks. It also pays to let the gloss intermediate coat cure perfectly, so that no air is trapped under the print.

A bit of context

The spring of 1945 found the fighter groups of the Eighth Air Force in a situation where few opponents were taking off against them any more, and the main work was attacks on ground targets. Nose paintings from that time therefore often look more relaxed than those from the previous years. Both aircraft on this sheet belong to exactly this period.